Broncos' Marshall catches 18 passes

Despite giving the rest of the NFL a one-game head start, Denver Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall leads the league in receptions.

Marshall caught 18 passes Sunday against San Diego, which is tied for second-most in a game in NFL history, most in Broncos history and three more than any receiver caught in the first two weeks of the season combined. New Orleans' Reggie Bush, Indianapolis' Reggie Wayne and Plaxico Burress of the New York Giants are tied for second with 15 receptions.

"Like I told you guys when I first got back from my suspension, my goals are still the same," Marshall said. "All of my goals are to break all the records."

Had it not been for the NFL reducing his suspension from three games to one late last month, Marshall wouldn't have been on the field Sunday. He had 10 catches before halftime, including a 6-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone. The Broncos' offense bogged down in the third quarter and ran only six plays or Marshall might have had a chance to break the NFL record of 20 set by Terrell Owens in 2000 when he was with the 49ers.

The Chicago Bears lost return specialist Devin Hester after he was carted to the locker room with an apparent rib injury during the third quarter of a 20-17 loss to Carolina.

Hester grabbed the left side of his rib cage after a kickoff return and walked to the sideline. He was then taken inside for treatment.

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Hester set an NFL record last season by returning four punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns. Carolina held him to three kickoffs returns for a 21.7 average and two punt returns for 9 yards before the injury.

Cincinnati tight end Ben Utecht hurt his chest on the Bengals' first play of the game and left the field on a cart.

Carson Palmer's pass went off Utecht's hands as Tennessee linebacker David Thornton hit him in the chest. Utecht lay on the field for several minutes, then got up slowly. He was wobbly as he walked off the field with assistance.

Minnesota Vikings receiver Sidney Rice injured his right knee in an 18-15 loss to Indianapolis.